Rebecca Spouge, MD PGY5 at the University of British Columbia Accepted to Interventional Radiology Fellowship in New Zealand
What initially sparked your interest in interventional radiology, and how did your experiences during residency influence your decision to specialize in this field?
My interest in interventional radiology was sparked in medical school while completing my clerkship rotations. During these rotations I realized how much I enjoyed both the tangibility of hands-on technical care and the challenge of diagnostic problem solving; Interventional Radiology sat at the cross-section of these two skills. My interest was solidified in my off-service year when an interventional team successfully mitigated an acute variceal bleed. I was inspired by the way the team approached the case, calmly with a focus on collaboration, and I have been hooked from there on out. There have been a number of mentors throughout the course of my Residency who have helped foster my love for IR. These teachers have come in the form of co-residents, fellows, staff, the interventional technologists, and nursing staff alike.
Learning from everyone in the IR team has been deeply rewarding and I look forward to continuing to develop my skills and knowledge in this field throughout fellowship and my career.
As a resident, how do you manage the intense demands of radiology, preparing for a fellowship in IR, while maintaining a work-life balance?
Great question. I think this is a challenge for any resident regardless of their specialty. I’d say there is no one answer, but there are a number of different strategies I’ve found helpful. The most important strategies for me have been keeping a strong support system, organizing my time, and having hobbies outside of medicine. I’m lucky to have an amazingly supportive family. My parents and siblings have been incredible sounding boards throughout residency, helping me keep things in perspective while keeping me laughing. I’ve found that maintaining a system to organize my time has been extremely helpful. I’m a fan of a calendar that highlights major deadlines and a daily “To-Do list,” breaking things down into manageable pieces each week. Outside of medicine, I’ve been singing practically since the time I could speak and feel lucky to be a part of the Chorus Studio. I think an effective way of managing the demands of IR is making time for the things you love outside of work, whether it be your hobbies or time with family and friends.
What advice would you give to women as medical students or residents who are still exploring different specialties but are curious about interventional radiology?
Stay curious! It’s a great field and you should continue to seek opportunities to check it out. Particularly for the medical students out there on their clerkship rotations, the interventional team works with several sub-specialty consultants. Take the opportunity to visit the department and learn about the patients who have undergone interventional procedures. Developing your clinical acumen will only make you a better Interventional Radiologist. I’d also say, to pursue what you love to do, wherever your interests take you. Interventional Radiology benefits from having diverse perspectives and backgrounds in the room who all work together on the common goal of caring for the patient and completing successful procedures. Keep up the passion and interest for this specialty!
Are there specific technical skills or knowledge areas that you found particularly important to develop early on in your residency?
There are skills in each rotation throughout residency that can be added to your interventional tool kit. During off service year, I found the clinical rotations in the ICU and surgical subspecialties helped me to think critically about the broader clinical picture and develop patient management skills. I gained a greater understanding of what each subspecialty physician goes through on a day-to-day basis which I’ve found helpful for more effective collaboration in the radiology department.
Early on in radiology training, I would say get comfortable with an ultrasound probe. At UBC we have two dedicated blocks of diagnostic scanning for call preparation. Even though these weren’t procedure blocks, I found the techniques I learned from our ultrasound technologists incredibly helpful going into procedural rotations. Understanding the knobology, how to maximize your windows and improve your images will set you off on the right foot before picking up a needle.
In terms of knowledge, I think being an excellent diagnostician will only fuel you to be a great Interventional Radiologist. Having a strong foundation in anatomy and pathology prepares you to understand the imaging planes used in the IR suite and guide effective interventional patient management.
Can you share any advice on how to build a professional network during residency, particularly within the field of interventional radiology?
There are a number of ways to build a professional network in interventional radiology. From a local institutional perspective, show up prepared and enthusiastic for your interventional rotations. I’ve found learning from staff, fellows and co-residents has helped me build relationships and connections while also fueling my passion for the field.
The CAIR RFS is also a fantastic platform for both learning about the specialty and connecting with other trainees and staff. The local networking events that have been hosted offered an opportunity for organic conversation and connection. Additionally, the Virtual Angio Club is a great opportunity to learn and understand different interventional techniques utilized across the country.
Conferences are also a great opportunity to build relationships and meet people who are in the field. Attending and staying engaged in sessions, asking questions, and participating in networking events allows for those connections to build, while also being a lot of fun.
What can residents do to foster a supportive and inclusive environment within their interventional radiology program?
Lead by example: Be inclusive. Interventional Radiology relies on effective communication within the team, building relationships with your techs, nurses, porters and staff is super helpful in allowing for this. Working together on cases becomes a lot easier when you understand the people you’re working with.
Collaborate with your co-residents, particularly as you progress through training, and bring your juniors up with you. Teaching provides opportunities for your colleagues to see if IR is also their thing. Plus, if you can effectively teach, it’s a checkpoint to make sure you fully know your stuff too!
Stay curious and treat every day like a new learning opportunity. Staying open-minded to learning in any form helps breed inclusivity with your teachers and other learners alike. Some of my favorite moments in IR thus far have been those “a-HA” “lightbulb” moments where staff and the IR team can observe the successful application of your learning. High fives all around.
What role do mentorship and peer support play in your residency experience, and how have you sought out these resources?
Mentorship was hugely important in developing my initial interest in IR and I have found support from my mentors both diagnostic and interventionist at each stage of residency. UBC fortunately had multiple formal mentorship programs that were integrated into residency. At the beginning of my first year, I was set up with a senior resident mentor in addition to a staff mentor. Having reliable mentors who understand the difficulties of training is incredibly helpful in navigating residency successfully. Outside of the formal mentorship program at UBC, I have found that mentorship often develops organically when you meet others with common interests. Attending program events and showing up keen for your rotations are great opportunities to seek out these individuals and build strong relationships.